“And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!‘ And Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.‘ And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to him, ‘Rabbi, let me recover my sight.‘ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way….
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 10:46-52; 11:24
Bartimaeus lacked in many ways: sight, support, means. But he could hear, and he knew about Jesus, that he was no ordinary man. When heavy feet approached on the road where he begged and he realized Jesus was in the crowd, he called out His name and appealed to His mercy. Rebuked and shushed by the gathering people, his urgency grew and he repeated his cry. Noticed and beckoned forward, he sprang toward his only hope. I want to see. Jesus responded to his claim in faith with instant healing of his sight, and from that moment on, Bartimaeus had eyes only for Him.
We are helpless beggars all, sin-stained, inept, on the fringes save for the mercy of God. Often we settle in that spiritual malaise, without hope and purpose, resigned to weak-sensed, powerless living. We name our woes and blame others for difficult circumstances, but fail to step up to name Jesus as the Redeemer He is and claim the mercy and help He exists to impart. His plans for us and ability to perform them are the opposite of helpless and hopeless. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
Where have we grown crotchety with complaint, or content with apathy or blind malaise? Do we know enough about how Jesus works among men to recognize His deeds, His approach, His voice, His possibilities for our infirmities? What can we begin to practice by study and meditation on His word, and by bold prayer with active faith, to understand and experience God’s potential in our weaknesses? What complacency, stubbornness, or rebellion need we throw off once for all to rise and approach Jesus and appropriate His power? (Mark 10:26-27)
What new spiritual sensitivities have our challenges sharpened? Where have we, or will we, turn from despair and languishing to confidently claim His power to transform? Where is His Spirit stirring us to proclaim His name and the more that He envisions we own and exercise for His kingdom’s sake?
Lord, entwine my thinking, worship, and desire with Your mighty name and all its power and glory.
As the rain and snow 